Monday
After two weeks of Easter leave we all returned to work this morning feeling
suitably refreshed. We began the day with a run to Southsea and back, just to
wake us up properly ready for the new term. We were thrown straight in at the
deep end today with a parade band gig for Commodore Wilcox's Supersession. We
had a rehearsal in the morning and then caught the coach at 1330 to travel to
HMS Collingwood for the ceremony. Luckily the rain managed to hold off for what
was a short but enjoyable gig. We returned to the School just in time for the
end of the working day.
Tuesday
There were no official rounds today so we were just into work for 0830. I had
a violin lesson with Mrs Cresci at 0930 where we worked on scales and studies
- a bit of a shock after the two week break but it didn't take long for it all
to come flooding back! After that we had the official RMSM photograph taken
and once again the sunshine stayed out just long enough for us to say 'Cheese'
and have the photograph taken outside. The rest of the day was private practice
followed by orchestra in the evening taken by the new WO2 at the school, Mr
Farrah, where we played a new arrangement of 'The King and I'.
Wednesday
This morning we spent the first hour of the day in the concert hall handing
back and collecting the new parade band marches for the rest of this term. After
that we had a surprise visit from the CDT (Compulsory Drugs Testing) Team which
took up most of the morning. We had a normal working afternoon as our usual
Recreational Training was swapped to Thursday for the MWS Olympiad. I spent
the afternoon practising my clarinet and violin, working mainly on my pieces,
which I will be playing for my final M3 exams in June and July.
Thursday
The day began with a circuit in the gym which consisted of a gruelling session
of sit-ups, press-ups and sprints. After that it was straight into work for
the morning. I had a clarinet lesson after stand-easy with Mr Kennard, the clarinet
professor where we mainly worked on my M3 study by Cavallini. In the afternoon
we travelled to HMS Collingwood for the WS Olympiad competition which involved
team sports such as bucket ball, football, Swedish long ball and tug-of-war.
Despite gaining many 2nd places and coming first in the final 'Superstars' competition,
we only managed 3rd place overall. Well done to all those who took part, especially
to our winning 'Superstars' team.
Friday
We began the day with a musical rehearsal in the concert hall working on the
new marches that we will be using in parade band for the rest of this term and
possibly for Open Day in August. This was followed by a morning of private practice.
At lunchtime we had choir rehearsal where we worked on Adiemus, a piece that
we will be singing in a concert in May. After that we had a concert band rehearsal
taken by the Bandmaster during which we worked on lots of new pieces that we
will be playing throughout this next term, including Esprit D'Corps and Gaelforce.
The final hour of the day was again private practice before finishing for what
was to be a hot and sunny weekend.